Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
FIFTY Study Page: Missouri— "Rainbow Bridge"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of St. Louis as the Gateway to the American West and the history of the Gateway Arch Monument.
Storybox Playlist: How to Be Super
What does it mean to be a Superhero? What does Super look like? We have been looking into those questions for the past few years and launch the final book in the series this week!
Friday's Kind Words: Kind-hearted Characters
Your beautiful stories have inspired all sorts of conversations in our family about gratitude, kindness, sibling strife, and life in general.
~ Melissa (+ Sparkle kids )
FIFTY: Minnesota— " This House"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the relationship between geography (noting the presence of flint) and biography.
Storybox Playlist: New Beginnings, New Year
All beginnings must begin with an ending. And all endings must be followed by a new beginning. This is shown as a truth everywhere we go and with everything we experience. But sometimes we need reminders - here are a few stories to help.
Friday's Kind Words: Sparkle Stories Worked to Soothe and Calm
My son and his sister (age seven) have grown up with Martin and Sylvia and feel almost as if the stories are about themselves. ~ The Pelletier Family
Sparkle Craft: Octopus Dog Toy
This Dog Toy craft is fun and inexpensive —all you need is tennis ball and an old shirt. Plus it's no-sew, which makes it a great project for kids to do themselves.
Grandma Mary's Peanut Butter Balls (Buckeyes)
This story happily reminded me of the peanut butter balls my Grandma Mary used to make every Christmas. While everyone in the family enjoyed them, I was definitely the biggest fan. Grandma Mary knew how dearly I loved them, and she would always tuck a dozen into an old coffee can and hide them in the back of her refrigerator just for me.
FIFTY Study Page: Kansas— "The Rivalry"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of the Kansas/Missouri conflict over Kansas becoming a state and its relationship to the Civil War.
Storybox Playlist: Merry Christmas
So why is this "the most wonderful time of the year?" Perhaps these stories will help us understand. Merry Christmas everyone!
Sparkle Craft: Woodblock Menorah
This week's craft is a woodblock child's menorah that can be made with a few simple materials from your local craft and hardware stores.
Solstice Bonfire S'mores
Prepare yourself for a classic s'more with a holiday twist. I've subbed the traditional graham crackers for gingerbread cookies and the usual plain chocolate for seasonal peppermint bark. When the warm gingerbread spices and the cool peppermint chocolate combine with the marshmallows, it tastes like Christmas is exploding in your mouth.
FIFTY Study Page: Maryland — "The Test Oath"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the impact of religion on U.S. history, particularly in Maryland.
Storybox Playlist: The Light in the Darkness — Sparkle Solstice
Light and dark — the most basic duality. Within day and night and winter and summer are so many possibilities of stories. In the northern hemisphere, we stand in the darkness and bring our gift of light. In the southern hemisphere, we offer our gratitude to the light and make ready for the darkness. Here are a few stories about light and darkness.
Friday's Kind Words: Awesome Words
I have always been a story reader, not a teller, until you guys assured me through your awesome words that I could do it too. ~Jana
Sparkle Craft: Vintage Christmas Songbook
Made from a vintage book and my pile of old Christmas cards, this kid-friendly holiday craft is meant to be added to and cherished year after year.
FIFTY Study Page: Montana— "The Marriage Bar"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the History of Montana Territory and State, and the history of women’s rights in the American West.
Tips for a December Day of Rest
It’s no small thing to create space for rest in the busy month of December. But consider taking a page out of Martin and Sylvia’s book and imagine a few ways to restructure, reframe, or re-evaluate your activities so that you can take just one day for a few hours of restoration.
Storybox Playlist: A Whole World Season of Lights
Here are some stories that look at Christmas from different perspectives.
Friday's Kind Words: Can we Sparkle?
My daughter, age 7, has become a Sparkle story addict. My favorite part is that she uses Sparkle as a verb, as in - "Can we Sparkle tonight?". ~ Cortney
